Serotonin 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, and 5-HT2A receptor mRNA expression in subjects with major depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia

• Published in: Biological psychiatry (1969) Vol. 55; no. 3; pp. 225 - 233
• Main Authors: López-Figueroa, Antonio L, Norton, Camille S, López-Figueroa, Manuel O, Armellini-Dodel, Denise, Burke, Sharon, Akil, Huda, López, Juan F, Watson, Stanley J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Science 01.02.2004
• Subjects: Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Biological and medical sciences; Bipolar Disorder - metabolism; Bipolar disorders; Case-Control Studies; Depression; Depressive Disorder, Major - metabolism; Female; Hippocampus - metabolism; Humans; In Situ Hybridization; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Mood disorders; Prefrontal Cortex - metabolism; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Psychoses; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A - genetics; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A - metabolism; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1B - genetics; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1B - metabolism; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A - genetics; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A - metabolism; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; Schizophrenia; Schizophrenia - metabolism; Mood disorder; Human; 5-HT2A serotonin receptor; Healthy subject; Central nervous system; Schizophrenia; Depression; Bipolar disorder; Prefrontal cortex; Gene expression; Encephalon; Psychosis; Messenger RNA; 5-HT1A Serotonine receptor; 5-HT1B serotonin receptor; Comparative study; Hippocampus
• ISSN: 0006-3223; 1873-2402
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2003.09.017

Alterations of serotonin neurotransmission are implicated in both mood disorders and schizophrenia. Specific serotonin-receptor-based abnormalities in these psychiatric illnesses have been intensively studied; however, it has been difficult to draw any conclusions because of a lack of consensus. These inconsistencies have most likely arisen from the unavailability of selective ligands. Our study used in situ hybridization to quantify 5-HT(1A), 5-HT(1B), and 5-HT(2A) mRNA levels in the hippocampus (HC) and 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(2A) mRNA levels in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) of subjects with a history of major depression disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder (BPD), schizophrenia, and a normal comparison group (15 subjects per group). In the DLPFC, there is a significant decrease in 5-HT(1A) mRNA of subjects with MDD and in 5-HT(2A) mRNA of subjects with BPD. Subjects with MDD have a significant decrease in 5-HT(1A) mRNA in the HC; subjects with BPD and schizophrenia had increased 5-HT(1B) mRNA levels and a significant decrease in 5-HT(2A) mRNA levels in the hippocampal formation. Alterations in 5-HT(1A,) 5-HT(1B), and 5-HT(2A) mRNA levels in the brains of subjects with both mood disorders and schizophrenia add further support for hypothesis of dysregulation of the serotonergic system in these psychiatric disorders.